New Delhi: Highlighting the immense
business opportunities in India, Overseas Indian Affairs
Minister Vayalar Ravi has sought more investment from the
Indian diaspora in Europe and said they can play a vital role
in enhancing Indo-Europe trade ties.

Addressing the third Mini-Pravasi Bharatiya Divas at
The Hague in Netherlands, Ravi said the diaspora community can
play a vital role in enhancing trade ties between Europe and
India.

He also outlined the competitive business environment
and investment climate in different states and said Overseas
Indian Facilitation Centres have been set up by his Ministry
to facilitate investment by the Indian diaspora.

The event, held at historic World Forum in The Hague
saw participation of prominent members of the Indian diaspora
in Europe besides dignitaries from both Netherlands and India.
He promised to take up the demand for setting up of a
Cultural Centre in the Netherlands.

Jan Piet Hein Donner, Dutch Minister for Social
Affairs and Employment emphasised how the Netherlands could
act as a bridge between India and Europe and said that in
response to the persistent demands from the resident Indian
community in the Netherlands, a Social Security Agreement
would soon be signed between the two countries.

Ruud Lubbers, former Dutch Prime Minister brought out
how the international focus has shifted from independence and
sovereignty of states to inter-dependence of states and said
that India has a significant role to play in a multi-polar
world.

Officials said the main aim of the event was to bring
together members of the Indian diaspora in Europe at a common
platform and discuss their role in enhancing Indo-European
cooperation.

The first mini Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was
held in New York in September 2007 while the second organised
at Singapore in October last year.